What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the combination of waste vegetable oil, potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and methanol. Vegetable oil is called a triglyceride because these are molecules with three fatty acid chains connected to a glycerol backbone. When the catalyst solution (either KOH or NaOH mixed with methanol) is added to the oil, a methoxide molecule attaches to the glycerol molecule and makes a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. This process is repeated until all the original fatty acid chains are replaced with a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. Biodiesel is the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester separated from the glycerol molecule. Fatty AcFatty Acid Methyl EsterFatty Acid Methyl Ester
Info from: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/blog/the-chemistry-of-biodiesel-production/
Safety Guidelines Potassium Hydroxide- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0523.html
KOH is a solid a room temperature. It is a dust which is toxic when inhaled. Safety masks with a respirator are required when dealing with KOH. The respirator allows for the circulation of air when exhaled for the mask. The valve opens when the user breathes out and is closed during all other times.
-Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
-Methanol (CH4O)
-Raw Vegetable Oil (C54H100O7)
-Distilled Water (H2O)
-Phenolphthalein (pH indicator) (C20H14O4)
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the combination of waste vegetable oil, potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and methanol. Vegetable oil is called a triglyceride because these are molecules with three fatty acid chains connected to a glycerol backbone. When the catalyst solution (either KOH or NaOH mixed with methanol) is added to the oil, a methoxide molecule attaches to the glycerol molecule and makes a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. This process is repeated until all the original fatty acid chains are replaced with a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. Biodiesel is the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester separated from the glycerol molecule.
Fatty AcFatty Acid Methyl EsterFatty Acid Methyl Ester
Info from: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/blog/the-chemistry-of-biodiesel-production/
Safety Guidelines
Potassium Hydroxide- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0523.html
KOH is a solid a room temperature. It is a dust which is toxic when inhaled. Safety masks with a respirator are required when dealing with KOH. The respirator allows for the circulation of air when exhaled for the mask. The valve opens when the user breathes out and is closed during all other times.
Biodiesel (Students only)
for a complete resource on Biodiesel go to
http://utahbiodieselsupply.com/
http://www.biofuels.coop/pdfs/2_chem.pdf
http://www.graham-laming.com/bd/main.htm
http://www.biodieseldiscussion.com/